Mary Robertson Obituary
July 3,1961 - February 19,2023
Mary Robertson of hungry horse Montana passed away on February 19 shortly after a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic cancer.
She is succeeded by her husband Mark Robertson of Hungry Horse, her siblings Tad Van Leer, Katie Parkinson and Peter Van Leer plus nineteen beloved nieces and nephews.
Mary was born on July 3rd,1961, to Ted and Sue Van Leer And grew up in Glen Ridge NJ where she excelled at both track and field and swimming. She developed her love of the outdoors on family ski trips to New England and summers at the family's lakeside camp in Maine. She attended Colby Sawyer College before graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire. Mary also participated in National Outdoor Leadership School. Over a camp stove in some cold remote Wyoming location, she discovered that she really liked to cook for people and had a knack for making whatever is at hand taste and feel great to the lucky who got served. This led her to enroll in the Culinary Institute, Hyde Park NY, where she became a true master at serving great food.
It was around this time that she met her husband Mark and together, with some help from Mary's dad, they purchased a classic New England Tavern and restaurant, "Riverworks Tavern" that they operated and expanded for nearly two decades. 1999 was a year of change as they followed Mark's lifelong dream of the Montana lifestyle. They sold the Tavern to make proceeds to purchase the Glacier Park Inn Bed and Breakfast. The years between found the couple delighting family, friends and guest with hospitality that reflects local culture earning them high reviews and repeat visitors.
Athlete, chef, tavern keeper, B&B hostess, philanthropist, naturalist, and volunteer servant of her community. Mary served on the board of Glacier National Park, The Great Bear Society, and eventually the Canyon Community Church in Coram Montana, to name only a few. Mary loved family and friends, bears, skiing,hiking, flyfishing, and was an avid member of the West Glacier Golf Club. She will be sorely missed.
Services for Mary will be held for her at the Canyon community church at 11:30 AM on March 11. All are welcome. Mary Robertson , 61
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Brian Baxter
February 28, 2025
Still Miss Mary & Mark So Much! Wish I knew what was going on with Mary, I would have bolted over to see her. But she was proud and I understand. Told Mark I was there for him, and then a bit later he passed. Hoping They Are Happy In The Great Kingdom Of God & Nature. :) - Brian Baxter
Ken Ward
March 13, 2024
It was such a an honor to know you most loving and trustworthy friend.
Brian Baxter
February 29, 2024
Miss Mary Like A Brother Would Miss A Sister. Mark, call anytime if you want to talk or get together. Still deeply saddened. - Brian Baxter
Brian Baxter
January 8, 2024
So shocked and saddened at Mary's passing. A very close friend since I began teaching outdoor education programs for Glacier Institute back in 2001. Mark & Mary "Adopted" me as their older "Brother-Brother" and we had so many good times at their cabin and lodge. I have been trying to get in touch with Mark for almost a year but no luck. If you read this and are in touch with Mark, Please ask him to call Brian Baxter at 406-291-2154. Thankyou Mary for your "Sisterhood" and Smiles. - Brian
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Nancy Frost
July 4, 2023
Nancy Frost
July 4, 2023
Nancy Frost
July 4, 2023
Happy Birthday Mary, from early NH days cooking at the Riverworks
Dave Ladendorff
July 3, 2023
Happy heavenly birthday, Mary! We all miss you so much. Every time I look up the canyon I think about you. God bless you
Steve Zukowski
July 3, 2023
Happy Birthday Mary!
Phyllis LaBranche
July 2, 2023
A wonderful soul. Mark we love you and hold you dear. We all remember celebrating Mary and Jenna´s birthday white water rafting 20 years ago. May Spirit comfort you this day and the many days ahead with joyous s memories and Many eternal presence. Be well, my friend. She is not gone. All our love, Rick and Phyllis
John and Marsha Baird
March 25, 2023
Our first thought was how fortunate Mark has been to have Mary. Our second thought was how fortunate Mary was as well.
She lived her dream with the man of her dreams.
A truly beautiful person; how fortunate for us as well .
Sympathies and love for her family.
John and Marsha Baird
LuAnn Neff
March 17, 2023
To say that Mary's passing has dimmed a light in this world would be an understatement. I was fortunate to cook alongside Mary in Exeter, NH, meet her NJ family and visit her Maine and Montana retreats. I was honored to call her my friend for many years. Although separated by distance, we were always connected in spirit. Those catch up Christmas cards were long! I will never forget that smile and laughter and how she called me "LuLu". My heart hurts for Mark, her family, her Montana family and for me. Fly high above those peaks!
Jay Bernier
March 16, 2023
I will always remember Mary´s smile, laughter, and caring.
David Ladendorff
March 10, 2023
Mary, life will never be the same here, in Hungry Horse or Whitefish without you. You are a beautiful soul. Thank you for all you´ve done and the warm welcome you gave me when I first arrived in Whitefish in 2017. I´d also like to thank you and Mark for your wonderful hospitality, both at the house and the B&B. I would also like to thank you for all those batches of chili you help me make and the advice and guidance you gave me. At times I was lost without you when it came to cooking. Most of all, thank you for your wonderful friendship, your upbeat attitude, as well as your warmth and kind nature. I´ll always miss you so much. Living here won´t be the same without you. You will truly be missed every day. Godspeed, I love you.
Steve Zukowski
March 10, 2023
Words can not express how sad I am. I was just cooking a pizza and it reminded me of teaching Mary to line cook when I hired her at the Cat Nip Pub, then the student became the teacher. It goes without saying that when Ted and Sue made Mary, they broke the mold. I have so many great memories of time spent with Mary and Mark. But I would trade futures for memories in an instant. I´m sorry for everyone´s loss because we were all better having Mary in our life´s. She will be missed dearly. I´m sorry that I couldn´t make it to Hungry Horse for the service. Steve Zukowski
Nancy Frost
March 10, 2023
Condolences from one of her NH Riverworks Family, She had a beautiful soul and filled a room with happiness.
Lynn
March 6, 2023
So sorry for your loss.
The Setteducato Family
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3408 US Hwy 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901
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